Finding New Ways to Cope after Marijuana Addiction

For many marijuana addicts, doing drugs is an essential part to managing stress. Therefore, to recover from marijuana addiction, addicts must learn to deal with their problems without drugs.

How Stress Starts Addiction

Many people use marijuana and do not become addicted. They may have enjoyed being high, but they just move on when the high wears off. On the other hand, some people abuse marijuana to deal with problems and pain. This chemical shortcut can quickly become someone’s primary way of coping with problems, but this habit can lead to chemical dependency.

Learning How to Cope with Problems without Marijuana

People learn to cope with problems through marijuana abuse, and there is no way to erase this pattern. However, addicts can also learn new and better ways of coping. Perfecting better coping strategies won’t make old habits disappear, but new habits and their long-term results can eventually dominate decision making. For any difficult situation, you could deal with it through any of the following suggestions:

Treat the symptom first. Abusing marijuana is a way to treat a symptom, because it calms down users. There are many ways to relieve stress and clear the way for further solutions. Take deep breaths, meditate, drink water or take a walk.

Get help. It’s simple but often overlooked: when problems are big, then ask for help.

Reassess the problem. Sometimes the cause of stress is not as bad as it first appears.

Address the problem directly

All of these coping skills give better long-term results than marijuana abuse, but users must learn these methods for them to be effective.

How Treatment Develops Coping Skills

Rehab gives addicts the counseling they need to build new coping skills. This aspect of treatment is achieved in any of the following ways:

Addressing co-occurring mental disorders. Other problems like depression and personality disorders can stand in the way of healthy coping strategies.

Developing a support network. Leaning to strengthen bonds to friends and family and reach out to them in times of need.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Counselors use CBT to help patients examine their negative thoughts and replace them with more positive ones.

If physical dependence has already taken hold, then marijuana addiction treatment could begin with withdrawal symptoms through detox. Getting through that ordeal without marijuana testifies to a user’s ability to cope with adversity.

Help Coping with Marijuana Abuse

Our helpline is open 24 hours a day to teach people to cope with the stress of marijuana addiction. If you or someone you know needs to recover from marijuana addiction, then call us now to discuss treatment options. The call is toll free, so reach out to us as soon as possible.

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